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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Former MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek scored an upset in a tightly-contested four-cornered race to clinch the party's deputy presidency yesterday.
Dr Chua beat his nearest rival, secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, by a slim 114-majority.
The former health minister received 1,115 votes against Ka Chuan's 1,001. Vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai could only manage 209 votes, while Tanjung division vice-chief Lee Hack Teik had 10.
There were 33 spoilt votes.
Datuk Ong Tee Keat, as expected, staved off a challenge from former health minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng to be elected the party's new president.
The transport minister garnered 1,429 votes against Chua's 917. There were 22 spoilt votes.
In a day of widespread rumours of upsets and super-charged tension, delegates awaited with bated breath while MCA elections steering committee chairman Tan Sri Wong See Wah announced the results at 9.45pm.
A high attendance of 99.04 per cent (or 2,378) of the total 2,401 delegates turned up to cast their votes from 1pm until 2.45pm.
Counting of votes was done at Wisma MCA's San Choon hall, where it was opened to public observers, the first in the party's history.
Even before the results were announced, Dr Chua's supporters started cheering and celebrating his victory as early as 8.30pm. A smiling Dr Chua played coy.
Boisterous supporters hoisted him on their shoulders as they shouted "Chua Soi Lek boleh".
In thanking his supporters for his win, Dr Chua said he would work with the new leadership as a team to reinvent MCA to win back the confidence of the people after the party's poor showing in the March general election.
Dr Chua resigned from all party and government posts earlier this year after a sex video of him surfaced.
"Yes, I did foresee my victory. Based on my knowledge and confidence in the wisdom of the central delegates, I knew that they would recognise my service and track record to the party," he said.
Ka Chuan, who appeared resigned with his loss, said he accepted the delegates' decision.
"In a contest like this, there are winners and losers, and this was a 50-50 race."
Ka Chuan said he would leave it to the party to decide on his fate.
Outgoing Wanita chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen became the party's first woman vice-president.
She polled 1,659 votes to finish third in a eight-horse race.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha polled the highest votes in the vice-presidency race with 1,798, while Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai came in a close second with 1,725 votes.
Johor deputy chief Tan Kok Hong narrowly made into the final four with 1,329 votes. There were 33 spoilt votes.
For the 25-seat central committee posts, Subang division chief Lee Wei Kiat topped the list with 1,597 votes.
Others who made it through included FT chief Datuk Tan Chai Ho, Kluang division chief Gan Ping Sieu, former Pahang assemblyman Datuk Ti Lian Ker and party veteran Datuk Wong Mook Leong.
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